Torrential rain caused floods and mud-rock flows in
northwest China's Gansu
Province between May 28 and 29, claiming eight lives, according
to the provincial flood and drought control and prevention
headquarters.
A heavy rainstorm struck the south-central part of
the province on Saturday night and triggered floods and mud-rock
flows, the source said.
In the worst-hit county of Minxian, the disaster
damaged 436.4 hectares of farmland and affected a population of
8,842, with direct economic losses estimated at 38.2 million yuan
(US$4.6 million).
Local authorities are organizing disaster-relief
work and reconstruction, and disaster assessment is underway.
(Xinhua News Agency May 31, 2005)